Many of the visitors to the Harp Seals are Japanese. They are attracted by the cuteness of the harp seal.

Traditionally, the white fur pups were hunted for their fur. However, as a result of international protests, the young cubs are no longer clubbed to death. It is permitted to hunt these seals after their fur turns gray. However, the international protests have destroyed the value of fur seal so that hunting these seals is no longer lucrative.

The biggest threat to the harp seals today is global warming which is melting away the ice on which the harp seals have their babies.